 Fantasy: August 29, 2012 Issue [#5230] |
  Fantasy
This week: Beyond Magic Edited by: Robert Waltz  
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We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all of the power we need inside ourselves already.
-J.K. Rowling
It's still magic even if you know how it's done.
-Terry Pratchett
Fly, you fools!
-Gandalf |
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Magic
As one of those people who like science fiction and fantasy about equally, there's something that's always bugged me about fantasy: Magic.
It's integral to most fantasy, of course, responsible for everything from mind control to flying horses to fireball spells. And that's okay; part of the appeal of fantasy, to me, is stepping out of day-to-day life and imagining what else there could be.
But it's the science geek in me that throws up a yellow flag whenever some working of magic occurs: Flag on the play! Violation of conservation of mass and energy!
Sure, you can argue that it doesn't matter, and that's fine, but to appeal to science geeks as a writer you should at least make an attempt to get the physics right. So here's a primer on Basic Physics for Writers of Magic:
1. Conservation of mass/energy means that any mass and/or energy that appears or disappears has to, respectively, come from or go to somewhere else. Example: Bruce Banner turns into the Hulk and gains about 2,000 pounds or whatever. Possible explanation: gated in from a parallel universe.
2. Large animals can't fly, because as you get larger, the required wing surface area increases exponentially with the weight of the creature. Example: dragons. Possible explanation: Dragons have special "antigravity" organs that assist with flight. (difficulty: antigravity devices would probably take a lot of energy)
3. Teleportation, if it's even possible, would require immense amounts of energy and computing power. Example: Harry Potter's Floo Powder. Possible explanation: Frankly, I'm at a loss here to be able to explain it with anything other than a dimensional connection to the heart of a star, and another dimensional connection to a planet-sized computer.
Look, again, you can just let it go and say "it's magic." Lots of people have done that. But even the magic in your fantasy world (or, alternatively, the advanced technology indistinguishable from it) needs to have some consistency so you're not pulling plot resolutions out of thin air, thus violating the utterly inviolable Law of Conservation of Plot Holes.
Thing is, though, you don't have to explain all this to the reader. In fact, please don't; technical stuff gets boring, as the three of you who managed to make it to this point in the editorial would know. But do make it part of your world-building to give your magic background and limitations. Readers will thank you for it. |
Because I'm talking about science, how about some SF this week?
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Last time, in "Fantasy Newsletter (August 1, 2012)" , I discussed our responsibility, or lack thereof, as authors. Here's some opinions, both agreeing and disagreeing with mine:
bertiebrite hoping for peace  : Writers create. Their creations often produce controversy and larger than life characters often induce imitation. That said, I do not see how society, which is really to blame for people's actions, can put the blame on writers, or producers. Some people are easily led, some are not. Some are mentally weak, some are not. I will not tamp down my stories, or alter my character's behavior because some jamoke may copy what a fictional character does. Mothers and Fathers, be aware of what your child is thinking. Don't come banging on my door when he imitates my killer, look inside your own home for the reasons he may commit horrendous acts.
Well put.
Second of Nine : Hey. I don't often comment back on anything, but I think you did address an issue that you have to consider at least once as a writer. I, for one, have always read, and the books that intrigued me the most are the ones that make you ask questions. Face it, most input today--TV, newspapers, whatever--does not make you think and it doesn't encourage questions. If you don't ever ask questions, how will you ever come up with the answers to what is wrong, what is right, and most importantly, why it's right or wrong. Great newsletter. Thanks.
Asking questions is important. Might not always get answers, though.
llinenboy : I think we have the responsibility of keeping things manageable and we have the responsibility of having morality in our writing. There will always be good vs evil. We can't control the fanatics out there but we can give something to think about.
Can't control others, but usually can control our own actions - good point.
Soulhaven : Sorry it took me a while to make a comment on this one. One point I'd like to make (if no one else has) is that if a good idea is acted on by someone else, it's the person who does the good action (cleaning up a beach, saving the cat from the drain) that gets the credit, not the person with the idea (the person that said "Hey, this beach is covered in litter", or "Help! My cat is stuck!"). Shame should go for bad deeds ... the action trumps the idea.
As my mom used to say, "actions speak louder than words."
Submitted Item: "Creating the Supernatural World" by Quick-Quill  - I believe this can apply to fantasy, sci-fi or any other world/paranormal writing.
Thanks for the submission!
And that does it for me for August - see you next month! Until then,
DREAM ON!!! |
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